The Center for Documentary Studies was founded in 1989 at Duke University. It offers high-level courses and workshops on the creation of documentaries in many disciplines including photography. The program mainly provides extra-curricular education for undergraduate students. The approach is practical and geared towards documenting contemporary issues worldwide. CDS organises or is involved in a number of annual awards, including the Dorothea Lange & Paul Taylor Prize and the First Book Prize. The CDS maintains an extensive exhibition program in four on-campus galleries. Wide-ranging discussions on documentary work and much of what is created by CDS students can be followed on the CDS's lively Literacy Through Photography Blog .

Extra information
Opening hours galleries: Monday and Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Director of The Center is Tom Rankin. Please contact public information coordinator Ava Johnson for information.